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The Garage Trust to take on Carnegie Building in King's Lynn

Norfolk County Council , 28 January 2025 13:17
Photograph of the front of the Carnegie Building in King's Lynn

Norfolk County Council have announced that The Garage Trust have been selected to take on the Carnegie Library building in King's Lynn.

The announcement was made by Councillor Jane James at a cabinet meeting on Monday, 27 January.

Councillor Jane James, cabinet member for corporate services and innovation at Norfolk County Council, said:

"We are pleased to announce that The Garage Trust has been chosen to take on the Carnegie Library building.

"We know that this building is important to many people in the town, so it was equally important that we took the time to find the best custodian. This decision comes after a thorough and competitive application process and The Garage Trust provides an opportunity to continue the cultural legacy of this historic building. The trust has a strong track record of making a real impact on the lives of the people they work with and delivering projects just like this.

"We would also like to extend our thanks to all those who participated in the application process."

Adam Taylor, CEO of The Garage Trust, said:

"We are honoured by this opportunity to take on such a special building as the Carnegie. Our vision is to transform lives through the arts and, as we move our practice from The Workshop in the Vancouver Quarter, we hope to continue the cultural legacy of the Carnegie by continuing to provide meaningful and engaging cultural experiences for the community. We look forward to working with the residents of King's Lynn as we relocate and then co-design and develop the building and site for the benefit of all."

This announcement follows an application and panel interview process involving representatives from both Norfolk County Council and the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

The Garage Trust is a cultural charity dedicated to transforming lives through the arts. Established in 2002, it operates from two main sites in King's Lynn and Norwich, offering a wide range of music, theatre, and dance classes, community activities as well as making and presenting small-scale performances for children.

The Garage Trust plans to work with residents and community members to relocate their vibrant cultural work from elsewhere in the town to this much loved building, investing in it and safeguarding it for the future.

Long-term plans involve co-designing the site's development with the community, focusing on sustainability and reducing environmental impact. They will maintain open access to the building, offering both free and paid programmes, and ensure sensitive refurbishment to preserve the library's historic features. From community co-designers; choir members, those who participate in school or through to young and older participants who come for weekly classes and courses there is real excitement at the potential that this opportunity presents.

In addition to the exciting developments at the Carnegie Library, work has already started on a new library and community hub in the former Argos building in King's Lynn town centre. This project, jointly funded by the government and Norfolk County Council as part of the King's Lynn Town Deal regeneration programme, will provide a modern space for learning, employment support, community activities, and more. The new library is expected to open later in 2025.

To watch the announcement in full, visit the Norfolk County Council Democratic services YouTube channel. The announcement begins at 15.20.

Last modified: 31 January 2025 10:06

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